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Quintessence

Quintessence

Lifestyle blog | Living Well with Style and Substance

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Travel

The Stylish Traveler
Fashion, Style, Travel, Video

The Stylish Traveler

Many of you have admired over the years the stylish dresses Susanna sports in our video series. We are both… Read More

At Home in Ojai with Isabelle Dahlin and Brandon Boudet
Entertaining, Food and drink, Garden, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Ojai with Isabelle Dahlin and Brandon Boudet

Ever since she first visited over 25 years ago, designer and shop owner Isabelle Dahlin always wanted a home in… Read More

Introducing Virtual Postcard
Architecture, Food and drink, Style, Travel, Video

Introducing Virtual Postcard

We are excited to announce a new video series, Virtual Postcard. So many of you viewers have said you love… Read More

At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Scotland with Katharine Pooley

Renowned British interior designer Katharine Pooley is not one to shy away from a challenge. She is an intrepid explorer,… Read More

At Home with Johnson Hartig in Los Angeles
Interior design, Video

At Home with Johnson Hartig in Los Angeles

“It’s Marrakech meets Nantucket, English Country, French country – everything I love in one house,” explains Johnson Hartig, the designing… Read More

At Home in Tangier with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera
Architecture, Interior design, Travel, Video

At Home in Tangier with Nicolo Castellini Baldissera

Born into an Italian family distinguished in the world of art and architecture, it is hardly surprising that Nicolo Castellini… Read More

Sneak Peek – Veranda Wanderlust
Architecture, Books, Interior design

Sneak Peek – Veranda Wanderlust

Ask any designer to name their favorite source of inspiration and many will cite travel. Nothing quite refreshes and expands… Read More

Friday Favorites – Nantucket On the Go
Food and drink, Nantucket, Travel

Friday Favorites – Nantucket On the Go

This week’s Friday Favorites is a tad late due to the continuing Fourth of July week. With family on island,… Read More

Nantucket Highlights
Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket Highlights

As I prepare for my annual summer trip to Nantucket, I was reviewing some of my past posts of island… Read More

72 Hours in France!
Architecture, Art & Antiques, Garden, Interior design, Travel

72 Hours in France!

As mentioned in my last post, I spent 72 hours in France this week with Susanna Salk, filming two new… Read More

Greydon House Nantucket
Architecture, Design, Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Greydon House Nantucket

Nantucket is a small island brimming with charm and character, due in no small part to the island’s vigilance in… Read More

Nantucket by Design 2017
Interior design, Nantucket, Travel

Nantucket by Design 2017

While the first week of August on Nantucket has in recent years always included a focus on design, this year… Read More

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The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! Fr The Christmas Tablesetting Contest starts now!! From this moment until midnight on January 7, 2026 you can post photos of your tables to win the contest and a myriad of incredible prizes. To take part you need:

1. To post photos on a public IG account
2. ⁠To tag in the picture of your post @Academia_de_la_mesa & mention you are taking part in the Contest 
3. You can publish as many photos of your table as fit in a single POST (no reels, no stories, no videos please). We need to see AT LEAST 2 pictures of your table showing the entire table and one placesetting.
4. ⁠You can take part a maximum of 3 times, with 3 different tables (one single post for each)
That’s it!! Winners will be announced in January. Please post pictures of your own tables at home, no event or magazine pictures 🙏🏻 (and no AI). 

The winner will receive a wonderful prize of the best of the best that there is in tableware kindly donated by @alain_saint_joanis @artel_glass @noel_lingedemaison_paris and @raynaud_porcelaines AND just for taking part you will be eligible for 7 additional magnificent  prizes by @aquazzuracasa (in conjunction with @incasastudio) @elalmacendeloza @erbavoglio.milano @gordiola_vidrios @palmira_decoracion @staub.es and @thetablelove (see stories for details). (NB: unless otherwise stated by the donors all prizes will be delivered in Spain but we can help winners arrange shipping) 

We can’t wait to see your tables! Happy tablesetting with love from the jury, made up of: 
@amarosanchezdemoya @azarraluqui @bea_satrustegui @bonadeaofficial @carmencarooneill @casa__lopez @paz_qb @quintessence @raulromeropress @vanessacraccoliving and @vioscooking
Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susan Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susannasalk at the welcoming Connecticut retreat of designer @tamara_meadow_interiors where lake views and meaningful furnishings distinguish this stylish custom built home! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
While much of my tabletop arsenal is still in stor While much of my tabletop arsenal is still in storage, I managed to pull together a simple table for a small family dinner to give thanks on this special day. Wishing everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving!
Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susan Our latest video visit is here! Join me and @susannasalk at the glamorous Manhattan maisonette of designer @james_andrew and artist @scottmcbee41 where James magically transformed a characterless prewar apartment into a sparkling jewel box! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
Our latest video visit is here! Join me at the stu Our latest video visit is here! Join me at the stunning countryside home of Spanish interior designer @ludovicoporta where he transformed a ruin of an 18th century palazzo into an idyllic weekend retreat ! LINK IN PROFILE (latest video).
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